Serena Ryder

“My fans are awesome! They tend to be quite grounded and unique. I love having time to hear their story. God only knows they hear mine enough!” - Serena Ryder, on her fans

Serena remains best known for her hit song “Just Another Day,” and she’s managed to create a name for herself thanks to her critically acclaimed albums, Unlikely Emergency and If Your Memory Serves You Well.

SEX APPEAL

Though it’s clear that Serena has taken great efforts to ensure that she’s not seen as a sex object, there’s certainly no denying that she possesses a sultriness that’s irresistible. In her video for “Just Another Day,” Serena is placed in a series of sensual poses -- including several on a sparsely made bed -- and it’s ultimately difficult not to be drawn to the self-confidence with which she carries herself.

SUCCESS

Even before she landed a record deal, Serena was cranking out full-length and short albums full of original content, with her first EP (released only on cassette) hitting the streets almost 10 years ago. She’s infused her career with a work ethic that’s carried her a long way, and it’s certainly not surprising to note that her music has been singled out by such media outfits as PopMatters.com, PlugInMusic.com, and musicOMH.com.

Serena Ryder Biography

Serena Ryder was born on December 8, 1983, in Millbrook, Ontario. Raised in a musically oriented household -- her mother was a backup singer and a go-go dancer, while her father was a member of a folk group called The Tradewinds -- Serena spent much of her childhood listening to the songs of The Beatles and Leonard Cohen. Her first efforts at singing publicly were met with praise, and Serena decided early on that her future lay in the world of music.

Serena’s father bought her a guitar at the age of 13, and the would-be songwriter spent the next several years teaching herself how to play and compiling a series of rough, yet brutally honest songs. She began recording her own demo tapes and used them to gain access to local clubs, where Serena began honing a live act as a promising young artist. By the time she was 18, Serena’s songs had caught the attention of executives at CBC radio and she was subsequently invited to play her music on their airwaves. Homegrown singer Hawksley Workman heard Serena’s music and immediately signed her to his record label, Isadora.

serena ryder records unlikely emergency

Though she had already recorded a series of independent albums and LPs, Serena was finally able to match her dynamic singing voice with top-notch production values. Unlikely Emergency was released in Canada on April 5, 2005, and Serena soon found herself receiving praise from various media outlets (All Music Guide called the disc “really good” and remarked that Serena “has the depth and range of a seasoned pro”). The album, which was released south of the Canadian border in 2006, won Serena a legion of new and fervent fans, and the singer was asked to perform a selection of tunes at the 2005 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame press conference.

serena ryder's if memory serves you well

Serena’s reputation within the Canadian music industry had made her an attractive prospect to major labels within the country, and it didn’t take long for EMI Music Canada to snap the promising young singer up. But rather than record a traditional follow-up to her debut, Serena instead chose to tackle some of the most well-regarded songs in her country’s history. The result was 2006’s If Your Memory Serves You Well, which consisted almost entirely of such covers as Paul Anka’s “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,” The Band’s “This Wheel’s On Fire,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Sisters of Mercy.” The album, which also included three original songs, cemented Serena’s status as one of the hottest singer/songwriters to hit the scene since Alanis Morissette, and Serena soon found herself lumped in the same category as such hot Canadians as Feist and Tegan & Sara.

serena ryder and told you in whispered song

Serena’s profile continued to increase over the months, and her music eventually reached the offices of Atlantic Records, where she quickly became a favorite among various executives. Shortly after, Serena was offered a record contract with the powerful label and she began working on an EP designed to maximize her exposure to American listeners. The five-song result, Told You In Whispered Song, was released in mid-2007, and Serena toured steadily afterwards in an effort to bring her music to her new fans. It’s clear that Serena Ryder is still only at the beginning of a long and fruitful career.